What month do you pick broccoli?
If you plant in the late winter/ early spring, broccoli will be ready for harvest between February to April. If you plant in late summer/ fall, broccoli will be ready in October to November. Basically, broccoli is ready between 55 and 85 days after you plant the seeds, depending on the variety.
Should you pick broccoli before it flowers?
Broccoli is ready to harvest when the heads or spears are well formed but still in bud, before individual flowers begin to open. Cut the central spear first. This is followed by a series of smaller spears on the sideshoots, which can be picked regularly over four to six weeks.
Will broccoli grow back after cutting?
Broccoli is rated ahead of cauliflower in most home food gardens because it is a cut-and-come-again vegetable. That’s right, broccoli responds to pinching, cutting, or shearing out the excessive growth as dramatically as your favorite apple tree – or maybe even more so.
When to start harvesting Broccoli?
Short-season broccoli varieties grow best in late winter and early spring by starting seeds in March and April and harvesting plants between May and July. Start long-season broccoli varieties in late August or in September and harvest mature plants between December and March.
How long to harvest Broccoli?
Harvesting. In general, broccoli plants can be harvested two or three times or for a period of up to three months. The plant first produces a large center head. This head should be cut at a slight angle with 5 to 6 inches of stalk. Once cut, the plant will produce smaller side heads for several weeks.
What are the stages of broccoli growth?
The last stage of growth before harvest is the development of flower heads. Harvest broccoli when the flower heads are 6 to 8 inches across and compact, with tightly closed green buds. Developing broccoli heads can be harvested at any point. The final stage of broccoli development is the flower and seed development.
When do you cut broccoli?
Once cut, the plant will produce smaller side heads for several weeks. Broccoli should be harvested when the heads are small, tight and firm. If flower buds appear, it should be cut immediately. When the yellow flowers open, broccoli becomes bitter.